How to Study the Bible

A few nights ago, I got to share with our men’s bible study a method for studying the Scriptures. There are honestly a lot of good ways to go about studying God’s word, this is just the one I use [1]. I thought today’s newsletter would be a good opportunity to reiterate a little bit of what I shared for anyone who wasn’t at men’s bible study. I hope you’ll find this helpful (and for those paying attention, yes I’ve tweaked a few things). Finally, whether you use this method, or some other method, the most important thing is to simply spend daily, intentional time with God.

Peter says:

1 Peter 2:2-3
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 

When we realize that God is good (we taste and see), then we want to spend time with him and taste again. And his word is the food that helps us grow up into salvation. So here are my steps. I don’t use all of these every time, but thinking through these steps helps me to dig deeper, especially if I’m reading and don’t feel like I’m getting anything.

HEART

The first step is simply to prepare my heart to meet with God. I pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help me understand what I’m about to read, to speak to me, and to help me treasure Jesus. In James 4:8, James tells us “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” I want to claim this promise and draw near, asking the Holy Spirit to help me. I will also often listen to specific worship songs that help me focus.

BASICS

The second step is to explore the basics of the text. Who wrote this portion of Scripture? To whom did the author originally write? When did he write it? What are the themes of this portion of Scripture? What genre of Scripture is it? Etc. The easiest way to get this information is by a using a good study bible. I recommend the ESV Study Bible. I simply read the introduction to the specific book of the Bible I’m about to read (usually a couple pages). I don’t re-read the introduction every time, but when I’m beginning a new book (James, or John, or Exodus, etc.), then it’s worth my time to read the introduction and remind myself of all the basics.

FLOW

The third step is to try to understand the flow of the text. I slowly read the text, and as I do, I’m trying to understand the big overall point the author is trying to make. To really get the flow, I usually read the passage through a few times, and I may even read the passage from a few different translations of the Bible. The point is to marinate in the text, and really ask what it’s saying. Remember, the original author had an intended meaning—and I want to figure out that meaning. Once I understand what Jesus, or Moses, or Paul, or Peter was trying to say to their original audience, then I can begin to ponder how that applies to my life now. 

It can be helpful, when trying to determine the flow, to break the passage apart into subunits (or smaller sections) and to notice the words and themes the author repeats. It may help to write out what you think the author is saying in your own words. Don’t be afraid to write in your Bible, underline words, or copy and paste the passage into a word processor and break it apart.

JESUS

The fourth step is to ask, how does this passage of Scripture relate to Jesus? Jesus taught the men on the road to Emmaus (after he had risen from the dead) all about how the Old Testament was about him (Luke 24). Tim Keller says, "Every time you expound a Bible text, you are not finished unless you demonstrate how it shows us that we cannot save ourselves and that only Jesus can . . . we must preach the gospel every time and not just settle for general inspiration or moralizing” [2]. So, when we’re studying the Bible, we need to ask how the passage we’re reading relates to Jesus. The passage may contain a prophecy that points to Jesus, it may demonstrate how bad our sin is and how much we need salvation, or it may contain an old testament hero who points to the true hero (Jesus). Spend time asking yourself, “How can I get to Jesus from this passage of Scripture?”

WORSHIP

The fifth step is simply to worship God as a response to reading the Bible. What did the passage teach you about who God is? Spend time savoring God. Worship him. Perhaps pray a prayer like this based on your reading, “God I praise you because you have revealed yourself as _____________________ in this text.”

APPLY

The sixth step is to think about what the text is telling you to do. How should your life change based on what you read? What do you think the Holy Spirit is saying to you? Here are few helpful diagnostic questions to ponder:

• What does this passage teach me about who God is

• What does this passage teach me about what God does?

• What does this passage teach me about who I am?

• What does this passage teach me about what I should do?

• Is there something God is telling me to confess and repent of, to begin doing, etc.?

Closing thoughts

Not every time alone with God (TAWG) is a home run. Don’t worry about it. But do try to develop the habit of spending time with God daily in his word and in prayer. Keep track of what you’re reading, read whole books of the Bible at a time, and eventually try to read through the whole Bible. Finally, write down questions, insights, prayer requests, and all the stuff that God is teaching you in a journal.

Hope this helps!
 

- Ben


[1] I've adapted the overall method of Andrew Abernathy and made it my own. Andrew Abernethy, Savoring Scripture: A Six-Step Guide to Studying the Bible (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2022).

[2] Timothy Keller, Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism (New York: Viking, 2015), 48.